Chapter Nineteen-The garden.

Chapter Nineteen-The garden.
ARTEMIS’S POINT OF VIEW
Today I did what I usually do when I have a job, only it took longer because I just couldn’t focus. But I didn’t give up. I need to be mentally and physically prepared for tonight.
After I finished, I packed what I needed. I decided that I’ll knock him out, shoot him, and then burn him.
He won't feel a thing; he won't even see it coming.
A few pep talks later, I drove to the forest where I’ll burn him, took the barrel out, hid it behind some trees, placed the can with gasoline inside the barrel, and drove to his house.
I park my car as close as possible to his house, but I make sure no one can see it, then grab my binoculars, and to my surprise, I see that he’s alone in the garden. Why the heck does he make it so easy for me? The garden has no cameras, no sensors, and no guards. He seems stressed; he’s even looking at his shoes as he walks.
Goodness, he’s worse than a duck in the middle of a pond.
Alright, I can handle this.
Deep breaths, and go, Artemis.
I listen to my advice, take a few breaths, grab the syringe, and silently sneak behind him. I place my hand over his mouth before I inject him to stop him from screaming, and after five seconds, he’s out. I must admit, I’ve never felt such a rush of adrenaline, and I think that only because of that rush I managed to carry him to my car, ’cause he’s damn huge.
I hurry to put him in the trunk, then stop myself from admiring him. He’s so incredibly handsome... his chiseled features-- I need to go. I close the trunk, quickly get into the car, and drive away toward the woods.
I've been shaking ever since I closed the trunk, so it wasn't surprising when, after stepping out of the car, I nearly fell.
Why is this so hard? I never had a problem killing a target, not even the slightest.
“Stop thinking and do it, damn it!” I yell at myself, a sign that I’m losing it.
Well, I've been showing signs of mental illness for a while now, so it's not a surprise.
“Okay, calm down. You can do it. You will do it.” I stay a few minutes to catch my breath and calm down, and it almost works.
Almost.
I’m still shaking, but at least I can walk. I open the trunk, and, damn! I can’t look away from him.
He looks so peaceful, his breath steady, and his broad chest rises and falls so beautifully... what would it feel like to lie in his arms? I bet I would fall asleep instantly.
His lips... God, his lips... I remember when we kissed—they were so smooth, firm yet soft... he tasted like whiskey... and his hands... I wish I could feel his touch on my body... why didn’t I let him touch me that night?
NO, ARTEMIS, STOP! BAD GIRL!
Time to do the job!
With determination in every fiber of my body, I take out my gun and point it at his head.
I’m shaking like a leaf in the wind, I can’t breathe anymore, my heart is racing like crazy, and my stomach is twisting. I think I’m gonna throw up.
“Come on, Artemis, you can do it!” I close my eyes, take another deep breath, and keep the oxygen in my lungs to calm down so I can do my job and pull the trigger.
I wish I didn’t have to do it, but my wishes haven't come true since—well, never.
BLAZE'S POINT OF VIEW
After I get ready, I go into the garage to pick a car and drive to the club, but I stop when I see Adonis’s car. He never drives any other car. I count the cars and notice that only two are missing. What the fuck? Something feels wrong. I go back inside and look for Mom, hoping she has some answers.
“Mom!” I yell as soon as I open the door.
“In here!” I follow her voice that leads me to the entertainment room, where she is sitting on the couch, watching a show.
“Mom, you said that Adonis went to the club.” She looks at me and nods.
“Yes.”
“His car is here. Did you see him leave?” I ask, and she shakes her head lightly.
"No, but he was all dressed up and said he’s leaving," she replies, looking at me suspiciously.
“I’ll go look for him in his office. Maybe he changed his mind.” I decide not to panic for no reason, and I go to look for him upstairs in his office, but he's not here. I check his bedroom, but still, nothing. Fuck, I have a bad feeling. I’m panicking.
“The garden!” I yell to myself as I leave his bedroom and run downstairs to check in the garden, remembering that he likes to go there especially when he’s nervous. I start running, jumping two stairs at a time, hoping my gut feeling is off.
“Blaze, what’s wrong?” Mom asks as I run past the entertainment room, but I can’t answer. I hope he’s there and I won’t have to answer.
“ADONIS!” I yell from the top of my lungs as I run until the back of the garden. Not here, either.
I go back inside to ask Mom more questions.
“Mom, when exactly did you see him? And where?” I try to keep my face straight and not let her see the panic behind my words.
“I’m not sure about the time, but he came and ate, then went for a walk in the garden. I think he was nervous about that girl. And after that, I came here.”
“FUCK!” I curse, trying to blow off some steam with the loud word, but it doesn't work.
“What’s wrong, Blaze?” Mom asks worriedly, but I can’t answer her yet; I need to make sure my assumptions are correct before I start to panic.
I grab my phone and try to call him, but there's no answer. This isn't good; something's definitely wrong.
I call Fabian, hoping he’s with him.
"Bro, is Adonis with you?” I ask as my breath stops, waiting for his answer.
“No, why? Is something wrong?” Holy fucking shit!
“Come home! And hurry!”
“Okay…”
"On second thought, go by LUX and see if he’s there. Call me when you arrive."
“You’re freaking me out!”
"Just do it, Fabian!" I hang up and dial Liam’s number.
“What’s with all the yelling?” I hear Dad’s voice, but I can’t answer. I don’t know what the fuck to answer. Liam is not answering, and my head is fucking blowing.
“I asked a question!” Dad asks in a loud voice to get my attention, but I still can’t get myself to talk. I'm still hoping he's with one of our brothers.
So, I call Liam again.
“It’s about Adonis. We can’t find him, and he isn’t answering his phone," I hear mom explaining to dad just as Liam answers the phone.